Pewsey Music Festival proves a crowd pleaser

The members of Everlust give it their all during their performance at the Pewsey Music Festival

Music filled the air in Coopers Field on Saturday as revellers enjoyed a family day out at the seventh Pewsey Music Festival.

Crowds were treated to an acoustic set by Plummie from Swindon band The Racket, who kicked things off on the second stage shortly before the main stage opened with On Deaf Ears.

Almost 1,000 music lovers flocked to the one-day festival behind The Coopers Arms, which was headlined by The John E Vistic Experience.

Organiser Liz Boden said: “The weather was a bit miserable at the start but people still came.

“I think that they’d already decided that this was how they were going to spend the day regardless of the weather.

“It always has a good mix of ages. One lady came last year with her family and she said one of her elderly relatives was really not looking forward to it last year because he thought it would be all pop music, but he loved it and couldn’t wait to come back.

“There was a couple from Cornwall who came a few years ago to see a certain band and they’ve been back every year since, so I think it’s growing in popularity, not just locally but within the wider community.”

In previous years there has been an open mic contest but this was replaced this year with a second stage to showcase local artists, including Mark Nelson, Chris Hunt and Billy Green. There was something for all the family at this year’s event, with stilt-walking bouncers, a mega slide, a bouncy castle and children’s entertainment by Mad Pete and his magic show.

Visitors could also enjoy a bite to eat from the various food outlets including Indian food from Tale of Spice, a hot dog and chip van and an Italian stall.

Ms Boden said: “The second stage worked really well because just as the acts were finishing on the main stage, someone was starting on the second so there were performers playing during the main stage changeovers.

“The giant bouncers came in just as AJ Live started and they were so funny, you couldn’t miss them.

“The children loved them and they went and spoke to our actual security and made them look tiny.”